Styling Banana Republic's New Anna Karenina Collection

Today, Banana Republic released its Anna Karenina inspired collection and I was lucky enough to receive a gorgeous (faux, of course) fur scarf to style from the collection.

Fortunately, the Houston weather has officially gone into "coat weather mode" (though, I saw on the news that it's going to be in the 80's again tomorrow) so I was able to style the Jules faux-fur scarf with a wool coat I got a couple of years ago.

Scarf-  Jules faux-fur scarf- Banana Republic

Coat- Zara (similar, similar)

Shoes- Zara (similar, similar)

Do you wear faux-fur come fall/winter?  Let me know in the comments below! Oh, and you can view Banana Republic's entire Anna Karenina collection here.

Regina Pierallini Jewels & Giveaway, Plus a Discount Code!

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, then you'll know I've been a huge fan of jewelry designer Regina Pierallini for a long time.  I blogged about my collection of her gems in March (here) and today I'm delighted to share with you a few new items Regina sent to me.

I am in love with these earrings. I also have the pearl ones and they look incredible for special occasions (I've worn them to weddings) but they also work to dress up an outfit like a loose tee with flats and skinny jeans. I love that these are a bright turquoise color. I could see myself brining them on a tropical vacation.

I can't get enough of clover necklaces.  I absolutely adore this onyx one. It is so stunning and looks incredible worn with black (the pop of gold makes it stand out) and with tons of different colors.  One of my favorite pieces of jewelry of all time (I also own it in pearl and mint and love them all!) This one is super long, which I love. It's dramatic.

This rose gold wishbone necklace is the perfect accessory when you need luck to come your way! I love how dainty and sweet it is. The rose gold sets it apart.

Gold accessories are my go-to and this pretty, sparkly heart necklace with matching earrings is lovely.  I like how the heart has dimension to it instead of being flat because it makes it different than my other heart necklaces.

You probably recognize my clover earrings in pearl and turquoise---but the new gals in town are the onyx clover earrings. I wear them constantly! I actually wear all three pairs, rotating them throughout the week. I wear my clover earrings more often than any others I own.

This thick gold bangle with an embossed design is perfect on its own---or layered with other bracelets for an arm party no girl could resist!

This necklace instantly reminded me of sand dollars or lily pads.  I think it would look great with an all-black ensemble. 

I know MANY of my readers have been huge fans of Regina's designs for a long time, so I'm delighted to host a giveaway for several of her designs!  Here's what Regina has generously offered for this giveaway:

Black Enamel Clover Leaf Necklace AND Vintage Gold Bangle (1st Place)- Long cascading gold plated necklace with twelve fully reversible enamel flower stations and three large silhouette open clover flowers on a 39" chain with lobster clasp and extension chain.

Gold Sideways Cross Necklace - 14K Gold Vermeil (2nd Place)- Retail Price:  $65- Luminous 14K Gold Vermeil Sideways Cross Pendant Necklace with Solid .925 Sterling Silver. Adjustable: 15.5 - 18 inches with a 3" extension.

Please enter this giveaway via Rafflecopter, below.
Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway    

PS- If you just can't wait to get your hands on these pretty jewels, use the code BLUSHING10 to get 10% off of your order at www.reginapierallini.com. This code will be valid for one week!

Scents of Fall

The moment September hits, I suddenly crave having my entire house smell like cinnamon-pumpkin-fall leaves awesomeness.  There is nothing better than filling your home with an aroma that reminds you of fall.  Since I've moved to Houston, fall is a season this city seems to sort of skip over, and it's made me even more into filling my home with scents that remind of the way the leaves changed color and the air got more brisk as fall came into full force in Toronto, where I lived most of my life.

The latest introduction into my fall scent collection is a Scentsy warmer.  One of my lovely readers Beth sells the products and sent me one to test out in our home.  I picked a pretty Morrocan style and I've been using the "Welcome Home" scent in it which is sweet and cinnamony and just lovely.  I still like to light candles, of course, but this is a nice alternative and I like that the scent bars last a super long time.  

My favorite candles for fall are from Bath and Body Works, with the Leaves scent winning the prize for best.scent.ever.  I usually buy a few more than I need because every year I worry they will "sell out" (they don't).  My other favorite fall (and holiday scents) are: Fresh Balsam, Tis the Season, Evergreen, Cranberry Woods, Autumn, Cinnamon Sugared Donut and Frosted Cranberry. You can view all of the scents available here.

Of all the seasons, fall and winter have the absolute best scents, in my humble opinion.  The scents are warm and inviting and some of them make me feel like we have a real Christmas tree in the house (confession: I've never had a real Christmas tree, it's always been faux).  

What are your favorite fall scents? Leave your recommendations in the comments below!  Also, if anyone is thinking of a great holiday gift, check out Beth's Scentsy page for all of the holiday collections. You can visit her page here.

Scientific Skin: Brightening Serum & EyeSclupt Review & Giveaway!

Hello everyone!  Thank you so much for your patience as I've been taking a break from blogging and getting some much-needed relaxation and time to get re-motivated.

I haven't done a product review in quite some time and today I'm sharing my thoughts on two products from Scientific Skincare which I received months ago, so I've had plenty of time to use both products.

One is the brightening serum, which contains seaweed and the other is the eyesculpt cream, which contains Squalane.  

Initially, I must admit that I was very turned off by the smell of the products. They kind of smelled like beer (I know that is totally odd, but that's what it smelled like to me).  It took me about 5 days of nightly use to become accustomed to the smell but after that, I hardly noticed it.  Plus, when products work, I can forgive a not-perfect scent.

I used the brightening serum on old and new spots from my acne, applying it every night before bed as my first product (before moisturizer or anything else).  My skin has actually completely cleared up, so I have to be honest and say I don't use it anymore because I don't need to, but while I was using it, I did have quite a few marks to fade.  The serum was liquid-y and easy to apply and I did feel that it helped fade spots sooner.  In fact, I also used it on the scar that was left behind when I had a mole removed from my right breast during a skin cancer screening.  The product comes in a bottle with a dropper which I liked because you could press the button and release just the amount of product you wanted to, so there was no waste.  Some of you will probably ask me how this brightening serum compares to Kiehl's Clearly Corrective.  It seems they have different active ingredients, but I like both formulas.  I would say it would probably depend on your skin type and personal preference as to which product you'd like best.  Both worked for me in terms of results.

The product I developed quite a strong love for was the eyesculpt cream.  The texture of it was almost like a fusion of a cream and gel. Over months of using it, I felt as though my under eye area appeared brighter and lighter.  I do not have a problem with dark circles, but I think I do look better with a little brightener under my eyes when I apply my makeup.  There were Saturday mornings where I'd go to the gym and feel pretty darn good about how I looked without makeup and one of the reasons was that my eye area was looking bright.

I'm not sure what magical ingredients are in the eye cream, but it really does seem to make a difference in fine lines and pigmentation in the eye area.  It's not creamy and rich like some of the other eye creams I've reviewed, but to me, it's more of a high-impact treatment.  Nowadays, I'm alternating eye creams (so that others I have don't expire and so that I can review them all adequately), but I did use this one exclusively for at least 2 months and I absolutely adore it. 

Though I only tested out those two products (they were the ones I requested to test out!) Scientific Skin has a variety of other products that meet all kinds of different skin needs.

The line was created by Kenneth Beer, MD, a dermatologist in West Palm Beach, FL. He's been featured in the New York Times, Glamour and Allure.  He's generously giving away an entire set of his skincare products to one of my lucky readers!

All you need to do is enter below, via Rafflecopter. And, if you just can't wait and you'd like to try the products now, you can visit  http://www.scientificskin.com and enter the promo code BLUSHING for 10% off of your order.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. The prize is:

ONE- Entire skincare system. pH Balancing Cleanser, pH Balancing Toner, White Bamboo Exfoliator & Daily Hydrating Cream plus their choice of ONE of our three serums: Lifting Serum, Brightening Serum or Intensive Repair Serum.

THREE- White Bamboo Exfoliators

So there will be four giveaway winners total


Enter here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Thank you for entering! If you have any questions about the products I tried, please let me know in the comments below.  Otherwise, your entire entry is recorded through Rafflecopter. You do not need to post a comment in this post to enter.

Dots on Dots

Polka dots continue this week as I showcase my final ensemble for the CultureMap feature last week.  This one incorporates one of my most beloved pieces---a classic trench that I scored at Banana Republic last year on mega sale!

This outfit was fun to put together because it involved mixing the same print together---but in a different size and color family. Polka dots on polka dots get an A+ in my book!

Dress- J.Crew (similar, love this one too!)

Trench- Banana Republic (similar)

Shoes- Zara (similar)

Bag- Kate Spade (buy it here)

Scarf- J.Crew (similar, love this one!, similar)

Wishing you an amazing week!

Polka Dots, Take Two

In part two of my fall must-haves series, I'm showcasing yet another way to wear polka dots.  This sweater has larger polka dots that are more spaced out and I just love it.  Simple skinny pants were all that was needed to pull the look together.

Sweater- J.Crew (similar, similar)

Pants- Banana Republic (buy here)

Shoes- Zara (similar w/studs, similar, similar, similar)

Bag- Kate Spade (buy it here)

Bracelets- J.Crew, Tiffany & Co.

Happy soon-to-be-weeekend!

Fall Must-Haves: Featured on CultureMap

I kind of took a break from blogging last week.  I don't know why, but every once in awhile I get a little burned out and need to take a week off to refresh and re-motivate myself.  Thanks for your patience and for all of the sweet ladies who sent notes wondering if I was okay. I assure you, all is well, I was just tired.

I'm excited to post a series of photos this week from a shoot I did for CultureMap.com.  I was part of a series they did on Houston style blogger's fall must-haves.  My fall must-have was anything polka dot!

I styled three outfits and they picked this one to feature (I'll post the other outfits this week!):

Top- J.Crew (similar)

Skirt- Forever 21 (similar, another cute option, love this too)

Shoes- Zara (similar w/studs, similar, similar, similar)

Necklace- Banana Republic (similar)

Bag- Kate Spade (buy it here)

Read more about my pattern mixing here, on CultureMap! You'll also check out what other Houston style bloggers are craving for fall!


PS- HOUSTON GALS! Elaine Turner is opening her signature pink doors to host not one, but two soirees to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On October 16, the ladies of Pink Door will fill the CITYCENTRE boutique, then Pink Ribbons Project will party at the Rice Village boutique on October 24. YOU'RE INVITED! Check out the invitations below for more information.

How to Style: Weekend to Work Week

Taking an outfit from weekend to work can be as simple as switching up one piece.  I loved my Sunday brunch outfit so much that I decided to wear the same outfit to work this week, but instead of jeans, I paired it with a trusty pencil skirt.

weekend....

to work week:

 Blouse- GAP (buy it here)

Sweater- J.Crew (buy it here)

Skirt - J.Crew (buy in other colors)

Shoes- Nine West (buy them here)

Necklace- c/o Groopdealz

Also, how CUTE is Lulu?!

PS- FOR MY HOUSTON READERS- EVENT ALERT!

The clothing brand Splendid is hosting an event on Saturday, October 6th at their NEW Highland Village store from 11AM - 1:30PM.  The event will feature fun workshops by Los Angeles based artist Karen Kimmel. The interactive workshops focus on reusing and repurposing natural materials. Workshop attendees will create original art and unique accessories, enjoy tasty treats, and depart with all sorts of very cool goodies. Check it out if you're in town!